300 Main Street, Suite 200, Dubuque, IA 52001
Mon – Thurs 8 am – 5 pm, Fri 8 am – 12 pm
Volunteering with Junior Achievement has led to some unforgettable classroom moments for Paul Kalb.
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I was volunteering for 1st grade at George Washington Carver Elementary School, and we were talking about Needs and Wants. I had taught with Mrs. Goerdt for several years, so we expected similar answers as we had gotten from students in the past. We started with wants and the kids were raising their hands, and we discussed things we could live without. I even raised a picture of my dog and told them that even though he was the best I probably could live without him, so he was a want. Next, we went to Needs and a little girl raised her hand. Of course I was looking for food, water, shelter, or clothing. When she said “Love”, I looked over at Mrs. Geordt and we both smiled and laughed. I said, “well that isn’t one of them that is in my Guide, but I think we will accept it because you definitely can’t live without love”. It was such a special moment and one that I will never forget.
Another time, I was teaching a 4th grade class at Eisenhower Elementary School with Mrs. Colpitts. I had volunteered in Mrs. Colpitts class for several years, so we knew each other well. We were discussing manufacturing and inventions. One of our vocabulary words was Ingenuity. We were near the end of our session, so I passed out a blank piece of paper to each of the students and Mrs. Colpitts. I told them that we were going to have a contest. I instructed the students to make a paper airplane out of the paper, and we were going to see whose would go the furthest. Mrs. Colpitts room was very long so it worked perfect. I told them there were three rules. (1) they had to fly it by standing behind the line, (2) they could fold it however they wanted but couldn’t use tape, paper clips, or anything else - just the piece of paper, & (3) I got to go last. I told them I wanted them to be ingenious in their design. I showed up a week later and I had my paper airplane sitting on the front desk. We all lined up along the sides of the room to start the contest. I reminded the students of the definition of Ingenuity and thinking outside the box. Each student threw their airplanes and most of them were very good. Mrs. Colpitts went after the students, and she just nosed out a couple of the students to take the lead. Of course, I went last and as I stepped up with my plane I again explained what being ingenious meant and that the instructions were that they could do whatever they wanted to the paper except use other materials. I then unfolded my paper airplane and crumpled it up into a very small ball. I threw it across the room and beat everyone. The looks on the students faces and Mrs. Colpitts face was amazing. The following class the students and Mrs. Colpitts presented me with a trophy. I must believe that some of those students will remember this and occasionally think about being “Ingenious”.
I started volunteering for JA in 2002. It has been a very fun experience.
Paul Kalb
Conlon Construction
Junior Achievement Volunteer
Junior Achievement Board Member
